Sweet Pea, a Built Green Houseboat by Affordable Floating Homes

Founded last year in Olympia, Washington, Affordable Floating Homes aims to provide "small footprint, high quality interurban living at an affordable price without developing more land," according to owner Mike Auderer's mission statement on the company's Facebook page.

The new company's first build -- and Auderer's current domicile -- is called "Sweet Pea" due to its green exterior. It's a 550-square-foot, two-story structure that's certified under the Built Green program, with a three-star rating.

"There’s a lot to be said for it," Auderer says of houseboat living. "I waste less food, use less energy, and have less of a footprint. I’m not cutting trees down, I’m not developing dirt, and I’m not worried about drainage, because it’s just rainwater going down into the bay where it would normally go," he says.

And at an estimated retail cost of $150,000 for a turnkey model, it's a money-saver too.